The windy city has been home to some of the most prestigious restaurants in the country for many decades. Although California and New York are given credit for being the top culinary cities in America, Chicago has always been able to keep up with it’s own large array of gourmet restaurants. Here are just a few of the top restaurants in Chicago.

Alinea

Chef Achatz of Alinea restaurant mixes flavors from all around the globe into his unique contemporary American fare. Alinea has some of the most comprehensive tasting menus in the country. It consists of 24 courses and takes over 5 hours to complete. It has quickly become a culinary destination for foodies around the world.

Charlie Trotter’s

Charlie Trotter’s Chicago eatery has won more than its fair share of prestigious awards. Many top culinary journalists have dubbed Charlie Trotter’s Restaurant as quite literally one of the best restaurants in the country. Many of their dishes like their braised short ribs, have been copied in hundreds of professional kitchens around the country.

Custom House

The Custom House is ran by James Beard award winning chef Shawn McClain. His protein-heavy dishes such as Bison chops and dry-aged house steaks are a huge favorite in the windy city.

Everest

Located on the 40th floor of the city stock exchange, Everest restaurant imports the best ingredients from all over the country to cater to its demanding clientele. Maine Lobsters and Wild Alaskan Salmon are featured in a number of unique and fresh dishes.